$1,020 a year.
That's the ongoing cost for a Burmese, Mixed Breed Cat, or Russian Blue in Australia if you're looking at mid-range food, average insurance, and professional grooming. A Maine Coon lands at $1,898. Same pet category. Very different bill.
And that's where plenty of people get caught. You see an $800 Siamese kitten or a $50 shelter cat and think the expensive part is over. It isn't. Litter alone can cost $300–$600 a year for an indoor cat. Flea, tick, and worm prevention adds $100–$180 a year for indoor cats, $140–$240 for mixed indoor-outdoor cats, or $170–$280 for outdoor cats. Then you still need $150–$400 for initial supplies and $50–$80 for microchipping.
We ranked 10 popular cats using real Australian figures so you can see which breeds are actually cheap, which ones only look cheap up front, and where the money goes. All figures are in AUD. If you want the broader picture, check our cat breed guides, run a side-by-side comparison, or start at the PawCost homepage.
Which Cat Breed Is Cheapest to Own in Australia?
Burmese, Mixed Breed Cat, and Russian Blue are the cheapest cat breeds in Australia at $1,020 a year for food, insurance, and grooming. Domestic Shorthair and Siamese sit just behind at $1,050, which is still cheap by pedigree-cat standards.
If you only care about the lowest ongoing estimate, there's a three-way tie. But if upfront cost matters too, the story changes fast.
How We Calculated the Costs
We used current 2026 Australian figures for each breed and ranked them by annual ongoing estimate. That estimate includes:
- Food — mid-range monthly food cost
- Insurance — average monthly insurance cost
- Grooming — annual professional grooming cost
These annual estimates don't include litter, flea/tick/worm treatment, initial supplies, or microchipping. If you want a full household budget, read our guide to hidden pet ownership costs in Australia.
Ranked: The Cheapest Cat Breeds in Australia
| Rank | Breed | Annual Est | Food (mid/mo) | Insurance (avg/mo) | Grooming/yr | Breeder Price | Adoption Price | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Burmese | $1,020 | $55 | $30 | $0 | $1,500–$2,500 | $100–$300 | 14–18 yrs |
| 2 | Mixed Breed Cat | $1,020 | $55 | $30 | $0 | $0–$150 | $50–$300 | 12–18 yrs |
| 3 | Russian Blue | $1,020 | $55 | $30 | $0 | $1,500–$2,800 | $100–$300 | 14–20 yrs |
| 4 | Domestic Shorthair | $1,050 | $55 | $33 | $0 | $0–$200 | $50–$250 | 12–18 yrs |
| 5 | Siamese | $1,050 | $55 | $33 | $0 | $800–$2,200 | $100–$300 | 12–18 yrs |
| 6 | British Shorthair | $1,230 | $65 | $38 | $0 | $2,000–$4,500 | $150–$400 | 12–17 yrs |
| 7 | Bengal | $1,230 | $65 | $38 | $0 | $3,000–$6,000 | $150–$400 | 12–16 yrs |
| 8 | Ragdoll | $1,685 | $65 | $38 | $455 | $1,500–$3,000 | $150–$350 | 12–17 yrs |
| 9 | Persian | $1,778 | $65 | $43 | $488 | $1,500–$3,000 | $150–$350 | 12–17 yrs |
| 10 | Maine Coon | $1,898 | $75 | $43 | $488 | $2,000–$3,500 | $150–$400 | 12–15 yrs |
Here's the blunt version: the cheapest cats are short-haired, low-grooming breeds with modest food bills and lower insurance costs. The expensive end starts once grooming shows up every year.
1. Burmese
Annual ongoing costs: $1,020
Burmese is flat-out cheap to run. You're looking at $55 a month for mid-range food, $30 a month for insurance, and $0 a year for professional grooming. Breeder prices sit at $1,500–$2,500, with adoption at $100–$300.
But don't confuse cheap with risk-free. Burmese cats can face diabetes at $1,000–$5,000, hypokalaemia at $500–$2,000, and chronic kidney disease at $1,000–$5,000. They do live 14–18 years, so you'll want a budget that lasts.
2. Mixed Breed Cat
Annual ongoing costs: $1,020
If you want the cheapest cat in Australia on both yearly cost and upfront price, this is the one to beat. Breeder price is $0–$150, and adoption is $50–$300. That's miles easier on your wallet than a Bengal at $3,000–$6,000 from a breeder.
The yearly running cost matches the Burmese at $1,020. Still, common health issues can sting: dental disease at $400–$2,500, CKD at $1,000–$5,000, and hyperthyroidism at $500–$4,000.
3. Russian Blue
Annual ongoing costs: $1,020
Russian Blue is the cheap purebred that doesn't get talked about enough. Food is $55 a month, insurance is $30 a month, and grooming is $0 a year. For a pedigree cat with a 14–20 year lifespan, that's a strong result.
The upfront price is higher than a Mixed Breed at $1,500–$2,800 from a breeder, or $100–$300 through adoption. Main watch-outs are obesity at $300–$1,500, bladder stones at $1,000–$3,000, and dental disease at $400–$2,500.
4. Domestic Shorthair
Annual ongoing costs: $1,050
Domestic Shorthair costs a touch more each year than the top three, but the upfront price is still low: $0–$200 from a breeder or $50–$250 through adoption. That's why this breed keeps showing up on budget shortlists.
The catch is health risk later in life. Dental disease is marked high prevalence for Domestic Shorthairs and can cost $400–$2,500. CKD can cost $1,000–$5,000, and hyperthyroidism runs $500–$4,000.
5. Siamese
Annual ongoing costs: $1,050
If you want a pedigree cat without a brutal breeder bill, Siamese is hard to ignore. Breeder price starts at $800 — the lowest pedigree entry point on this list. Adoption sits at $100–$300, and ongoing costs are still just $1,050 a year.
Health-wise, you need to watch amyloidosis at $1,000–$5,000, progressive retinal atrophy at $500–$2,000, and asthma or respiratory issues at $500–$3,000.
If you want to see how cats stack up against dogs on running cost, have a look at our cat vs dog cost guide.
Are Mixed Breed Cats Cheaper Than Pedigree Cats?
Usually, yes. A Mixed Breed Cat is $1,020 a year, with breeder prices of $0–$150 and adoption at $50–$300. Compare that with a Bengal at $1,230 a year and $3,000–$6,000 from a breeder, or a Maine Coon at $1,898.
| Breed | Annual Est | Breeder Price | Adoption Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mixed Breed Cat | $1,020 | $0–$150 | $50–$300 |
| Burmese | $1,020 | $1,500–$2,500 | $100–$300 |
| Russian Blue | $1,020 | $1,500–$2,800 | $100–$300 |
| Siamese | $1,050 | $800–$2,200 | $100–$300 |
| Bengal | $1,230 | $3,000–$6,000 | $150–$400 |
| Maine Coon | $1,898 | $2,000–$3,500 | $150–$400 |
If your goal is pure savings, a Mixed Breed Cat wins. If you want a pedigree cat and still want to keep the numbers sane, Burmese, Russian Blue, and Siamese are the better bets. Our first pet budget guide can help if you're trying to sort out what fits your pay packet.
Cheap Cats Can Still Get Expensive at the Vet
A cheap annual estimate is a good start. It's not the full story. Vet bills are where a "budget" cat can suddenly feel very expensive.
Domestic Shorthair and Mixed Breed: cheap to buy, common age-related bills
These are still good value cats. But dental disease shows up again and again. Domestic Shorthair has high dental disease prevalence, with treatment at $400–$2,500. Mixed Breed Cats can also face CKD at $1,000–$5,000 and hyperthyroidism at $500–$4,000.
British Shorthair and Bengal: still reasonable, but no longer bargain-bin
Both sit at $1,230 a year, which is still lower than the long-haired breeds. But British Shorthair has HCM at $1,500–$6,000, PKD at $1,000–$5,000, and high obesity risk at $300–$1,500. Bengals can face HCM at $1,500–$6,000, PRA-b at $500–$2,000, and patellar luxation at $1,500–$4,000.
Ragdoll, Persian, and Maine Coon: this is where "cheap cat" ends
Ragdoll jumps to $1,685 a year because grooming alone is $455. Persian reaches $1,778 with $488 a year in grooming, plus high PKD risk at $1,000–$5,000 and high eye problem risk at $300–$2,000. Maine Coon lands at $1,898, with HCM marked high at $1,500–$6,000 and hip dysplasia at $2,000–$6,000.
These cats can still be worth it if you love the breed. But they are not cheap.
If insurance is part of your plan, read our breakdown on whether pet insurance is worth it in Australia.
What Extra Cat Costs Should You Budget For?
The annual breed ranking is only the base layer. You still need supplies, microchipping, litter, and parasite prevention on top.
| Extra Cost | Price |
|---|---|
| Initial supplies | $150–$400 |
| Microchipping | $50–$80 |
| Litter (indoor) | $300–$600/yr |
| Litter (mixed) | $200–$400/yr |
| Litter (outdoor) | $50–$150/yr |
| Flea, tick & worm (indoor) | $100–$180/yr |
| Flea, tick & worm (mixed) | $140–$240/yr |
| Flea, tick & worm (outdoor) | $170–$280/yr |
Indoor cats usually cost more in litter and less in parasite prevention. Outdoor cats flip that pattern. Mixed indoor-outdoor cats sit in the middle on both. Your breed choice matters, but your cat's lifestyle matters just as much.
Pick the Cheap Cat You Can Actually Afford
Start with a Mixed Breed Cat, Burmese, Russian Blue, Domestic Shorthair, or Siamese. Those five stay at $1,020–$1,050 a year with $0 grooming. Use our compare tool, browse all breeds, and run your own numbers below before you commit.
Calculate Your Pet Costs
FAQ
What is the cheapest purebred cat in Australia?
Burmese and Russian Blue are the cheapest purebred cats in this ranking at $1,020 a year. Siamese is close behind at $1,050 and has the lowest pedigree breeder price at $800–$2,200, which makes it a strong budget pick too.
Is a shelter cat cheaper than buying from a breeder?
Usually, yes. A Mixed Breed Cat costs $50–$300 to adopt versus $0–$150 from a breeder, and a Domestic Shorthair costs $50–$250 to adopt versus $0–$200 from a breeder. Compare that with pedigree breeder prices that start at $800 and go much higher.
Are indoor cats cheaper than outdoor cats?
Not always. Indoor cats have higher litter costs at $300–$600 a year, but lower flea, tick, and worm costs at $100–$180. Outdoor cats have lower litter costs at $50–$150, but parasite prevention climbs to $170–$280 a year. It depends on your setup.
Which cheap cat breeds need no professional grooming?
Burmese, Mixed Breed Cat, Russian Blue, Domestic Shorthair, Siamese, British Shorthair, and Bengal all have $0 a year in professional grooming costs. That's a big reason they sit lower in the rankings than Ragdoll, Persian, and Maine Coon, which all carry annual grooming bills of $455–$488.
Why are Ragdolls, Persians, and Maine Coons more expensive each year?
Grooming is the big one. Ragdoll carries $455 a year in grooming, while Persian and Maine Coon each sit at $488. Food and insurance are higher too, especially for Maine Coon at $75 a month for food and $43 a month for insurance.
Should I get insurance even for a cheap cat breed?
A low annual ranking doesn't mean low vet risk forever. Burmese can face diabetes at $1,000–$5,000. Domestic Shorthairs can get dental disease at $400–$2,500 and CKD at $1,000–$5,000. Insurance in this list ranges from $30–$43 a month, which may be worth the trade.
Which cat gives the best mix of low yearly cost and low upfront price?
Mixed Breed Cat is the standout. The annual estimate is $1,020, breeder price is $0–$150, and adoption is $50–$300. Domestic Shorthair is close too at $1,050 a year, with breeder price at $0–$200 and adoption at $50–$250.